Group: McCormick Dementia Services
Social Work and Family Support
Our Team
Our social workers are available by phone, e-mail, or in-person by appointment, if you need some advice on caring for your loved one or if you just need someone to talk to. We’re here to help.
Care Partner Support
McCormick Support Groups and Services
We offer our care partner support groups and education series both in-person and virtually, using our secure Zoom account. Zoom is a web-based software program which allows participants to join with video and audio capabilities. Joining the meeting by phone only is also an option.
Please contact a social worker to register to attend a support group.
To be considered for this group, please contact our administrative assistant at ext. 2347.
Resources
Topics for Persons with Dementia
Support for Persons with Dementia
McCormick Early Stage Support Group
Learning that you have dementia and experiencing the changes involved in its early stages can be a particularly challenging experience. Our Early Stage Support Group brings together people who share this unique journey and who provide a vital support network for each other. Comprised only of people with early dementia symptoms, this group builds a strong sense of connection with each other, addresses problem solving and adapting techniques, as well as provides enhanced practical skill development activities to make the most out of your abilities.
It is an environment that provides a safe haven for members to openly discuss their thoughts and feelings. Participants sharing their path with other group members helps reduce the sense of isolation and creates strong bonds.
This group is currently offered on Zoom Thursdays from 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Additional Resources
Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex
ASLM offers a variety of resources and programs designed for the person living with dementia including education, counselling, support and recreation. They are currently offering virtual social recreation.
Finding Your Way
Explore how people living with dementia and their families can live safely in the community, starting with Finding Your Way’s new Living Safely with Dementia Interactive Resource Guide.
By Us For Us Guides
The By Us For Us© Guides (BUFU guides) are a series of guides created by a group of talented and passionate persons with dementia and/or partners in care. The guides are designed to equip persons with dementia with the necessary tools to enhance their well-being and manage daily challenges. Guides are available online and in hard copy.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Before performing these activities, medical approval is recommended. Wear appropriate footwear and carry out in a clutter-free environment for safety. Be sure to exercise caution for persons at risk of falls.
Seated Yoga
Seated Exercise
Meditation Audio Recordings
Seated Exercise Program
Seated Program Plus Standing Exercises
Games, Puzzles and Trivia
Some activities can be enjoyed on the screen, whereas others need to be printed (sometimes in colour, otherwise black and white is fine). There are many activities that require items to be cut out. The person with dementia may enjoy cutting these items out as an added activity. Depending on your internet settings, when you attempt to open some items, you may have to select “allow” or choose “yes” to get the item to open/load.
Guess the Sounds: Indoor
Guess the Sounds: Outdoor
Musical Games and Resources
Below are a variety of music related games and resources to aid those living with dementia.
Music Bingo Games
Follow your selected game card (from the game options listed below and play the corresponding music from the Music Bingo Playlists at the bottom of the page.
Music Bingo Playlists
Song Writing Club
Independet Recreational Activities
Please note that not all persons will be able to participate in these activity suggestions independently, especially the first time your person participates. Some set-up, cueing and ongoing assistance may be required. Where activities need to be printed and cut out, the person with dementia may be interested in participating in the cutting process as well. Some activities can be done without printing and some require printing (in colour or black and white, depending on the activity).
Strategies for Engagement
Below are resources and strategies to help you engage with those living with dementia.
Activity Ideas and How-To at Home
Much of the information listed within these categories is presented on PowerPoint slides. Wherever possible, these activities and guides were saved as PDFs (a file type that everyone should be able to open). In some instances, the software “PowerPoint” will be required to enjoy the full experience of the activity. Depending on your internet settings, you may see pop-ups reminding you of potential security concerns. We assure you that when you see these pop-ups on our site, you can select “allow” or “yes” to enjoy the content. The recreation staff at McCormick Dementia Services have enjoyed creating this content for your home use and hope that you find it helpful.
Learn More
Feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions.
McCormick Home:
T 519 432 2648
F 519 645 6982
E home@mccormickcare.ca
McCormick Care Group:
T 519 432 2648
F 519 472 1486
E info@mccormickcare.ca
McCormick Dementia Services:
T 519 439 9336
F 519 432 4960
E community.support@mccormickcare.ca
McCormick Dementia Research:
T 519 432 2648
F 519 472 1486
E research@mccormickcare.ca
If you require immediate medical assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
For more information on ways to give:
T 519 432 2648 x.2318
E admin@mccormickcarefoundation.ca
visit mccormickcarefoundation.ca
Mailing address:
2022 Kains Road
London, Ontario N6K 0A8
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Day Program Admissions Process
We welcome people of all backgrounds and experiences and are pleased to offer customized programs that are based on a person’s needs and interests. We often find that our program members form a strong sense of belonging and make new friends along this journey. Our clients and care partners have remarked that attendance at the day program becomes something that our clients genuinely look forward to and are so energized by each day.
We invite you to explore our program and learn for yourself all it has to offer. Please feel free to contact one of our social workers to answer any of your questions. They will help guide you through the application process.
At McCormick, we focus on current strengths and abilities and adjust our programming to suit our clients as they follow their dementia journey. Our focus is on enhancing the quality of life for everyone in our care.
If you have questions, are looking for resources, or need support, please contact us.
Admissions Process
Referrals to the Care Partners Support Programs can be made by calling McCormick Dementia Services directly (519-439-9336) and speaking to a social worker.
All referrals to the day program go through Ontario Health atHome at 1-800-811-5146. Anyone can call and request a referral to the day program. A care coordinator will meet with the client and their care partner and complete a standardized assessment form (Resident Assessment Instrument or RAI). The care coordinator determines eligibility for the day program. Once approved, the care coordinator will send the assessment document to McCormick Dementia Services.
Once the referral is received, a social worker from McCormick Dementia Services will contact the care partner(s) to confirm receipt and provide an information package. Due to our current waitlist, the care partner(s) will be contacted again when a space becomes available to schedule a visit. This visit gives us a chance to gather more information and allows the applicant to see the day program area and meet some of the team members. The applicant spends at least an hour in the day program, while the care partner(s) provides social/emotional/recreational information to the social worker and complete(s) other documents. During this process, the McCormick Dementia Services team, the client and his/her care partners together decide on the appropriateness of the program for the applicant. Days are chosen and space is offered if available or the applicant’s name is placed on the wait list. The whole process can take up to two hours.
Transportation to the day program is available from the BGC (formerly known as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club) seniors transit service, which shuttles clients within the London city boundary. This service is arranged by the McCormick Dementia Services administrative assistant and confirmed by calling the applicant’s contact person. The family may choose to transport the day program client, if desired.
Some of the documents requiring completion can be downloaded and completed in advance of the appointment. Others will be presented during the appointment. Documents available to download include: